Wadaiko Newark was formed in November 2002 and is a Taiko group formed in cooperation with the Newark Unified School District and serving the people in Alameda County in California. As part of the local school system, we are able to offer adult evening classes through Adult Education and children’s classes on Saturdays through Wadaiko Newark Children's Group.

Our Dojo (A Dojo is "a place for studying". Lit: the place of the way. A Taiko dojo would be a place for learning taiko.) is located at Newark Unified School District 35777 Cedar Boulevard Newark, CAAdult classes are Monday through Friday for both Basic I and Basic II. Wadaiko Newark Children's Group is onSaturdays from 1 until 5 p.m.Head Instructor: S. Eustice Instructors: T. Eustice & B. Chu.

We perform at Churches, schools, private parties and other functions.We will build a drum for you or we will teach you to build your own drum.

For performance or drum building information please call (510) 791-0901.

Taiko is an ancient form of Japanese drumming. The Kanji character Tai means bit and Ko means drum. The Taikostyle drum is commonly believed to have come to Japan from India and China perhaps 1000 years ago.The Taiko Drum was used to celebrate the harvest, bring on the rain, to frighten away evil spirits, to intimidate the enemy inbattle, and as a way of communication between villages.At Buddist ceremonies the boom of the great Taiko was said to be the voice of Buddha.Wadaiko is the Japanese term for the traditional style of drumming known in the western world as Taiko. It is the playing of traditional Japanese rhythms on traditional style drums.However, Wadaiko is more than the simply playing of rhythms; it’s the striving to become one with these great drums, your fellow drummers and the tradition of Taiko. Playing the Taiko brings us a sense of oneness, harmony and interdependence, not only with the drum but also with our fellow players.